ABSTRACT
A nanoemulsion is a colloidal dispersion system that is thermodynamically stable and is also known as ultrafine emulsions, submicron emulsions, and mini emulsions. It is composed of two immiscible liquid mixed with surfactants and co-surfactants. The range of nanoemulsion particles is 20 and 200 nm. It shows an effective property in the food industry such as colouring, antimicrobial, flavoring, and nutraceutical agents. Essential oils are extracted from different parts of herbal plants such as thyme, clove, peppermint, nutmeg, and blue gum. It showed antimicrobial property against various gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Leuconostocmesenteroides, and Candida albicans. Nowadays, researchers are working on the preparation of nanoemulsion with the different techniques and observe the antimicrobial efficacy of nanoemulsion. Therefore, in the first phase of this chapter, we discuss the different methods for the preparation of emulsion, the use of essential oil, and its characterization. In the following section of the chapter, the application of nanoemulsion as an antimicrobial agent, the effect of nanoemulsion against different bacteria, fungi, and their mechanism are discussed.
